Anger at failure to diagnose star cyclist's fatal heart condition

THE doctor father of a champion cyclist who died from a heart defect has criticised medics for failing to diagnose his condition.

The GP father has publicly stated that he believes an earlier diagnosis could have helped his son[GETTY - Pic Posed By Model]

Peter Hinchliffe, 33, blacked out during a training ride in May 2010.

The fitness instructor, of Balby, South Yorkshire, underwent tests for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare condition that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young people.

If the treatment had been conducted more expediently and had the full investigative process been completed and a defibrillator implanted it is probable he could have had a reasonable expectation of life

Coroner Fred Curtis

But no diagnosis was made and in September 2010 he collapsed and died while cycling alone.

Retired GP Robert Hinchliffe told Doncaster Coroner’s Court that an abnormal ECG scan indicated his son should have been fitted with an external defibrillator which shocks the heart into a regular rhythm.

He also urged NHS chiefs to improve training in a bid to reduce the number of deaths from ARVC.

Recording a narrative verdict, assistant coroner Fred Curtis said: “If the treatment had been conducted more expediently and had the full investigative process been completed and a defibrillator implanted it is probable he could have had a reasonable expectation of life.”